Jayco Finch 2001 Battery and Converter advice
Submitted: Thursday, Nov 12, 2009 at 10:35
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sc00by123
Hi all. Long time reader and short time poster. I apologise in advance, I know this has been covered to death from my research but I really just want to be sure I get it right.
We recently bought a Jayco 2001 Finch. It has no battery, but I see it has a power converter.
After reading this
forum I bought a 120amp/hr Fullriver Deepcycle battery to install.
I'm lucky enough to have a good mate who is an auto electrician by trade, but hasn't worked in the trade for a long time, nor done a lot with caravans.
He wired up the car to run power to an anderson plug from the battery and that's where we are at.
What's the best way to wire up the converter. Is it true it doubles as a charger for the battery as
well? I'm really only looking at running the van lights, probably a tv/dvd and a 3G modem/router.
Thanks for looking.
Reply By: Member - Angus E (NSW) - Thursday, Nov 12, 2009 at 12:44
Thursday, Nov 12, 2009 at 12:44
sc00by123,
We bought a 2003 Swan last weekend and it also had no battery. I have been going through a similar exercise.
The transformer/charger was a Centurion 3000. The charger did not appear suitable. It is , however, not the same as the one shown in your photo. If you search the archives there are a few posts about the chargers.
I bought a charger from Derek at ABR Sidewinder, who advertises on this site (on special at the moment) and got an AGM battery locally. I am halfway through fitting the battery into abattery box and fastened the charger to the side of the compartment shown in your photo (reinforced with some plywood).
I have removed the old transformer/charger and have a swutch/fuse panel on order, to put in its place.
I have also run the cable for Anderson plug to the car which will be connected to the caravan battery.
I can send some photos of the setup if that helps.
Angus
AnswerID:
390985
Follow Up By: sc00by123 - Thursday, Nov 12, 2009 at 15:08
Thursday, Nov 12, 2009 at 15:08
Hi Angus,
Thanks for the info. Sounds like you have acquired much more knowledge than I!
We stretched the budget to buy the camper in the first place. It was owned by an older couple and according to them it's only been used a half dozen times. The camper looks as though they are telling the truth too. So we had to buy it.
I was kind of hoping to get away with bare basics until we come back from a trip at xmas. You sound as though you have spent a few dollars on your setup which we'd like to do but will have to wait until next year.
If possible I'd still like to hear how you go.
FollowupID:
658829
Reply By: Anthony - Thursday, Nov 12, 2009 at 14:48
Thursday, Nov 12, 2009 at 14:48
It looks like the power converter is the original type of power supply provided from the factory.
Jayco had a few problems with these power supplies failing. In our case, in a 2003 Dove, the power supply (which looked that same as yours) died twice and, in the first case was replace with another unit of the same brand, and when it died a second time, Jayco replaced the power supply with a Setec branded supply.
Both the type you have installed, and the Sectec band can charge a battery. I believe that your type of supply can only supply approx 3 to 5amps max when charging. So if, or when you have a battery connected that is very low on voltage, then the power supply will cut out.
I can't answer to question on how to connect the battery to your supply, maybe your auto elec guy can help ?
AnswerID:
391001
Follow Up By: sc00by123 - Thursday, Nov 12, 2009 at 15:12
Thursday, Nov 12, 2009 at 15:12
Hi Anthony,
That doesn't sound too promising.
My mate and I are attacking the van tomorrow (as long as the battery I ordered on Monday arrives). I guess we'll just connect it all up and measure the amps then.
Thanks for the info. I'll be sure to post back how we go.
FollowupID:
658831
Reply By: briann532 - Thursday, Nov 12, 2009 at 17:06
Thursday, Nov 12, 2009 at 17:06
sc00by123,
This has been done to death on another very helpful
forum, and the end result agreed by most was to get rid of the current unit and install a C-tek or similar.
Best advice you'll get is to contact Derek Bester on this site. ABR sidewinder
I have a Hawk and have installed a C-tek 15amp charger and put a bypass switch on the current unit so I can still utilise the 240volt function when in a caravan park.
If you need any further info or wiring diagram (very rough), email me
bandj-at-ihug-dot-com-dot-au.
Cheers
Brian
AnswerID:
391022